APN (Complex Care Specialist)
What you'd do
The Complex Care Specialist Nurse Practitioner (NP) at the San Francisco VA Medical Center is an advanced practice registered nurse responsible for providing comprehensive mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and care coordination for Veterans with complex psychiatric and psychosocial needs. Emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, suicide prevention, recovery-oriented care, and continuum of care to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life.
Major duties
**This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance. Learn more The NP provides advanced clinical care to Veterans with serious mental illness, co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions, substance use disorders, and other complex behavioral health needs. The NP functions as an independent licensed practitioner with prescriptive authority, providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, medication management, psychotherapy, and care coordination. Major Duties and Responsibilities include: The NP also manages and coordinates care for patients with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC). Perform comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, including mental status examinations and diagnostic assessments. Diagnose mental health disorders utilizing DSM-5-TR criteria and evidence-based clinical guidelines. Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized treatment plans in collaboration with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary team members. Prescribe, adjust, and monitor psychotropic medications within the NP's scope of practice and VA policy. Monitor medication effectiveness, adverse reactions, and laboratory results while promoting medication adherence. Manage Veterans with serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and co-occurring substance use disorders. Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment, and suicide prevention evaluations, including safety planning and coordination of emergency psychiatric services. Coordinate care for Veterans with complex medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial needs across inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community settings. Collaborate with Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Homeless Programs, Community Care, and specialty services. Conduct follow-up evaluations to monitor treatment progress and modify care plans as clinically indicated. Promote recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care while supporting Veteran autonomy and shared decision-making. Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic studies and laboratory testing relevant to psychiatric treatment. Identify social determinants of health impacting treatment outcomes and collaborate with appropriate services to address barriers. Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, case conferences, and care coordination activities. Provide consultation and clinical guidance to nursing staff, physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals. Educate Veterans, families, and caregivers regarding diagnoses, treatment options, medication management, relapse prevention, and available VA resources. Document patient care accurately and timely within the VA electronic health record in accordance with national documentation standards. Utilize telehealth technologies to improve access to mental health services when appropriate. Participate in quality improvement initiatives, performance improvement projects, and evidence-based practice implementation. Support compliance with Joint Commission standards, VA directives, clinical practice guidelines, and accreditation requirements. Maintain proficiency in psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology, and management of behavioral health emergencies. Participate in peer review, continuing education, and professional development activities to maintain clinical competency. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Full-time, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. License - All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork Preferred Experience: Training and experience in mental health. VA Nurse Practitioner residency or fellowship. Psychotherapy and prescribing medications. Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications Grade 2: $190,766-$253,100 annually Grade 3: $207,934-$253,100 annually Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially, long periods of combined walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization. The incumbent may be required to travel occasionally. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Telework is position dependent and appropriate approvals are required; telework is not guaranteed and incumbent must comply with all regulations relevant to telework agreements, policies, and processes. If a position requires driving, incumbent is required to maintain compliance with all relevant policies and processes.
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